SGA and Jokić Lead MVP Race
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić are the current frontrunners in the NBA MVP straw poll, with every game carrying significant weight due to the new 65-game minimum rule for award eligibility. The race is especially chaotic this year due to high-profile injuries and player absences, making consistent availability a key factor for voters.
- Nikola Jokić is a three-time MVP, having won the award in the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2023-24 seasons. His 2023-24 campaign saw him average 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game. - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander finished second in MVP voting last season and averaged 30.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 6.2 assists during the 2023-24 season. - The 65-game eligibility rule was introduced in the 2023-24 season to curb "load management." To qualify for major awards, players must play at least 20 minutes in 65 games, with some exceptions for injuries. - The MVP race has been significantly impacted by injuries to other top contenders. For example, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid, a perennial MVP candidate, has been sidelined with knee injuries. - Team success is historically a major factor for voters; only two players have ever won the MVP award while on a team with a losing record: Bob Pettit in 1956 and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1976. - The financial stakes of winning MVP are significant, as it can make a player eligible for a "supermax" contract extension, worth up to 35% of their team's salary cap.
